Housing in 2020

By Nick Berg, CMCA, AMS, PCAM 

In the Fall 2020 issue of the Communicator, we discuss housing in 2020. Despite softening rental and housing prices due to the pandemic, the Bay Area remains one of the most desirable and unaffordable housing markets in the country.

Faced with housing unaffordability, some families have built granny or in-law units, also known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), on their property. ADUs can increase density and further burden HOA amenities such as pools, clubrooms and parking. Nevertheless, Governor Newsom, citing the need to increase affordable housing in California, recently signed legislation that voids most HOA restrictions preventing the creation of ADUs.

Many community associations have recreational amenities such as clubrooms, swimming pools and roof decks. We review some of the laws that apply to these amenities. We will also share some best practices for setting rules and polices regarding their operation, as well as enforcement strategies.

When engaging with mentally disabled residents, community associations have a duty to provide reasonable accommodation. We also have a duty to take action to address harassment. But, what if a mentally ill resident starts harassing other residents? In this issue, we consider how to navigate these conflicting and competing interests.

I’d like to wish everyone happy holidays – and a happy New Year in which we finally defeat COVID-19. The BayCen Chapter has created a conservative 2021 events calendar where we will hold virtual events for the first half of 2021 and return to in-person events in the second half of the year. If all goes as planned, there will be handshakes and hugs.

It has been an honor serving as your chapter president. I want to express my sincere gratitude to my fellow board members and Executive Directors Kelvin Nanney and Rachel Selwan. I’m so proud of the way you responded to the pandemic and pivoted to virtual meetings and events. I am profoundly grateful to our sponsors who supported the chapter through 2020. Finally, I want to thank the Communicator’s editors, Morgan Hurlbutt and Amy Davis, who make this high-quality and informative publication possible.

Best,
Nick Berg

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